Father of the Nation
What Was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Childhood Like?
Greatest Bengali of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's political wisdom and lifelong struggle gave birth to Bangladesh in the world. In short, his life is a history. From birth to death, each part of his life teaches us lessons. However, we all are well aware of his political and personal life. But how many of us know about Sheikh Mujib’s childhood? This legend of Bangladesh was born on March 17, 1920. Let’s explore all the details of Father of the nation Sheikh Mujib’s early age.
Birth and Early Life
Sheikh Mujib was born on March 17, 1920, in an aristocratic Muslim family in Tungipara, Gopalganj. His father Sheikh Lutfar Rahman was the Serestadar of Gopalganj Sessions Court (Clarke of the court) and his mother's name was Saira Khatun. Mujib was the third child in a family of four daughters and two sons. His parents affectionately called him ‘Khoka’.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life was spontaneous in the green environment of Tungipara. He was the leader of the group while swimming with the village boys in Madhumati, playing ha-du-du, football, and volleyball.
Read Who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? A Short Biography of Bangabandhu, Father of the Nation
Education
In 1927, when Mujib was 7 years old, he was admitted to the local Gimabhanga Primary School. The founder of this school was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's youngest grandfather Sheikh Abdur Rashid. Bangabandhu studied up to third class in this school. Later, he was admitted to Gopalganj Public School in 1929 at the age of nine and studied there till 1934. Less than a year and a half later, Mujib contracted beriberi. This disease causes a Glaucoma in his eyes. Due to this, he could not continue his schooling for four years from 1934.
Start Wearing Glasses
Sheikh Lutfar Rahman took Mujib to Calcutta for eye treatment. Kolkata's famous T. Ahmed performed surgery on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's two eyes and advised him to wear glasses. From then on Bangabandhu started wearing glasses.
Read:Bangabandhu was a great strategist: Energy Advisor
Working to change the fate of people, reaffirms PM
Delivering the vision of reshaping Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday promised to bring smiles to the faces of the distressed people as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The Father of the Nation wanted to bring smiles to the faces of the unhappy people. That’s our goal, too,” she said while chairing the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of the Victory at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.
President Md Abdul Hamid also spoke at the function as the chief guest, while Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as the guest of honour.
Also read: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
The National Implementation Committee for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration arranged the event with the title of “The Greatest Hero of the Great Victory.”
Jail Killing Day to be observed Wednesday
The nation is set to observe the Jail Killing Day on Wednesday with due solemnity.
Awami League and its associate bodies will pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the four national leaders slain in state custody on this day in 1975.
A press release said the Awami League leaders and workers will pay homage by laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 on a limited scale following Covid-19 health guidelines.
Tributes will also be paid to the four national leaders: Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Capt. Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman.
It also said the party leaders and workers will place wreaths at the graves of August 15 martyrs and national leaders.
The party will arrange a discussion at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city at 11 am.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
Read: AL to observe Jail Killing Day Wednesday
The President, in his message, said, “The aim of the killers was to erase the ideals of the Liberation War from the spirit of the young generation apart from giving rise to an undemocratic autocratic rule which failed.”
He urged all to work from their respective positions to complete the unfinished works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build a happy, prosperous Sonar Bangla. “This should be our promise in the Jail Killing Day.”
In her message, the Prime Minister said, “The killing of the four national leaders was the continuation of the assassination of the Father of the Nation along with his family. Through it, the defeated forces and anti-state quarters made an evil attempt to destroy the Liberation War spirit and render the Bangali national leaderless by erasing the name of Awami League.”
She urged people of the country to build poverty-free and happy, peaceful golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
On November 3, 1975, four national leaders and heroes of the country’s Liberation War -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman -- were assassinated inside the Dhaka Central Jail.
The four leaders played a key role in leading the Mujibnagar government, that led the Liberation War effort in 1971 with Syed Nazrul Islam as the acting president, Tajuddin Ahmad as the prime minister, Mansur Ali as the finance minister and AHM Qamruzzaman as the home, relief and rehabilitation minister.
BSA premieres 'Gonohotta Poribesh Theatre' in 64 districts
Marking the occasions of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) premiered 'Gonohotta Poribesh Theatre' (Genocide Environment Theatre) festival on Friday in 64 districts.
Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, inaugurated the festival at Meherpur Government College Campus at 6.30 p.m. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain attended the inauguration event as the principal guest, while Meherpur Superintendent of Police Md Rafiul Alam attended as the special guest.
Shaheed Brigadier General Jamil Uddin Ahmed: invisible, yet forever an inspiration
The rueful month of August is remembered as one of the darkest days in history for the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on August 15, 1975. On that day, the then Director-General of DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence), Shaheed Brigadier General Jamil Uddin Ahmed, ‘Bir Uttam’, was the only one to sacrifice his life to save Bangabandhu.
Marking the 46th death anniversary of the assassinated martyrs and National Mourning Day 2021, the country’s premier news agency United News of Bangladesh (UNB) recently organized a first-ever video interview featuring seven grandchildren of the brave-heart remembered as ‘Colonel Jamil’: Masud Jamil Khan, Rumessa Mailloux, Jamil Khan, Nahar Khan, Armaan Jamil Hossain, Shaan Jamil Hossain and Zahra Jamil Rahman, together for the first time from home and abroad.
The special interview, hosted by noted visual artist Sourav Chowdhury, commemorated the valiant patriot who his grandchildren never met in person due to his heroic sacrifice and untimely departure. The grandchildren also fondly remembered their late grandmother Anjuman Ara Jamil, former Member of Parliament and an iconic entrepreneur in the country.
Also read: Brig. General Jamil: A profile in duty and courage
Sourav Chowdhury: Being the eldest grandchild, how do you view your grandfather and honour his legacy?
Masud Jamil Khan: Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet my grandfather in person - however, I always receive mass admiration from everywhere as the grandson of Colonel Jamil and my grandmother Anjuman Ara Jamil, a former Member of Parliament representing Kushtia, Meherpur and Chuadanga. She established the Jamil Foundation, empowering local women - which we are proudly continuing as their legacy. As the Deputy Managing Director of the Cosmos Group and also a father of three beautiful daughters, I always feel that the patriotism, sacrifice and dedication of our grandparents have always inspired us to gloriously move with confidence, pride and dignity.
Sourav Chowdhury: Cosmos Foundation has been focused on working towards preserving Bangladesh’s history and culture, namely the works and legacy of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu. Could you tell us about this?
Masud Jamil Khan:Through our Cosmos Foundation and its artistic wing Gallery Cosmos, we have been organizing several cultural activities to fulfill our commitment to the society - including special exhibitions, art camps, workshops and more, at home and abroad. We have published special books on the Father of the Nation, namely "Bangabandhu: Epitome of a Nation" and "Brave Heart". Written by Enayetullah Khan, these books are incomparable as these have featured exclusive memoirs of Bangabandhu and also our patriotic grandfather, and I hope we will see further publications in the future."
Sourav Chowdhury: Jamil Khan, you are currently joining us from San Diego California in the US. You are named after your heroic grandfather and you have a lot of similarities too, I hear. Could you tell us about your grandfather?
Jamil Khan:We grew up hearing the stories about our brave-heart Nana (grandfather) from my mom, my Nanu (grandmother) and my aunts. Recently, I learned that my Nana Bhai liked photography, and I like photography too - my photography exhibition was held in Dhaka back in December 2004. Nana bhai liked to travel, I like to travel as well. To preserve his legacy, I have plans to feature his heroism through writing and archiving publications, photographs and more.
Sourav Chowdhury:Rumessa Mailloux, thank you for joining us from Toronto, Canada. Please tell us about your thoughts and feelings on your grandfather.
Also read: Cosmos Foundation and Liberation War Museum sign MoU
Rumessa Mailloux: I was born nine years after my Nana’s passing, so we couldn’t meet in person. However, I was blessed to hear the stories regarding how charming, handsome, sincere, charismatic and humble of a person he was. He is the pride of our family and our nation, as he was the only one who sacrificed his life for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - the greatest leader and founding father of Bangladesh.
His legacy is being continued through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Three years ago, my son did a project on Nana Bhai and I am so proud he shared his story with his Canadian mates, who were amazed to know about our family history. A true hero lives forever and remains immortal because of the heroic acts, and I hope my Nana and Nanu have reunited peacefully in heaven.
Inspired to protect the values Bangabandhu stood for: India
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Bangladesh observes the National Mourning Day.
"We're inspired to protect the values Bangabandhu stood for," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka tweeted.
Read:FM pays tributes to Bangabandhu
Mourning Day: PM pays homage to Bangabandhu
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom and the National Mourning Day on Sunday.
The prime minister paid homage to the Architect of the Independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32.
Read:Nation observing Bangabandhu’s anniversary of martyrdom in a somber mood
After placing wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence there for some time showing respect to the great leader and the great architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
Nation observing Bangabandhu’s anniversary of martyrdom in a somber mood
People across the country are observing the National Mourning Day on Sunday, the darkest chapter in the history of independent Bangladesh.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the 46th anniversary of his martyrdom and the National Mourning Day on Sunday.
The prime minister paid homage to the Architect of the Independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32.
After placing wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence there for some time showing respect to the great leader and the great architect of Bangladesh’s independence.
A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute, while bugle played the tune of grief and somber to the last post.
Also read: Aug 15: Remembering the Father of the Nation on anniversary of martyrdom
A munajat was also offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.
Bangabandhu’s life to be showcased in NYC's Times Square
The life sketch of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be screened at Times Square, New York on August 15 and 16.
Bangabandhu’s digital portrait will also be screened for 720 times at the place, a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center, and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
Read:Who had planned Bangabandhu family's murder and why? questions Hasina
Tokyo Mission celebrates 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed on Sunday recalled the memory of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib and said that she was the center of all inspiration for Bangabandhu.
"She remained as a shadow with Bangabandhu all through her life," said the Ambassador, adding that Bangamata was an ideal woman imbued with patriotism, dedications, sacrifices and farsightedness that new generation specially women should learn from her.
Read:Five women receive 'Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Award'
Today is the 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo observed the day with due respect at the Bangabandhu auditorium of the Mission.